Letter 38049

Etching titanium with oxide layer [Poland] 

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I want to ask if anybody knows what etchants can I use for etching titanium after thermal oxidation. I want to see the titanium microstructure and the oxide coating. Now I am using 2% HF+2% HNO3+96% H2O and oxide coatings are etched off or the microstructure is not visible in order how long I am etching samples. Can anyone help me?

Krzysztof Mendzik
Czestochowa University of Technology - Czestochowa, Silesia, Poland

I suggest you to try straight %2HF. don't exceed 25 seconds. start etching from 10 seconds and find the optimal time by increasing the time you are etching for a second interval for every try.

Fatih Akdas
ist. tech. uni. - Istanbul, Turkey

To get a look at the oxide layer, you probably are going to have to plate it with something like copper with little activation or cleaning. This will be rather non adherent, but it will be enough to protect the oxide layer. Dilute your etch by half and swab it on for a couple of seconds at a time. Rinse very well so the vapors do not attack your microscope. Repeat etch as many times as required. When you have your photomicrograph of the oxide, etch the Ti in the full strength as long as is required.

James Watts
- FL

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